Visual indicator for air tank valve handle

Abstract

A visual indicator assembly displays the state of an isolated stem control valve contained in a housing of an air tank. The visual indicator assembly comprises a rotatable handle member adapted for operative connection to the isolated stem control valve contained in the housing of the air tank. The rotatable handle member opens and closes the control valve without axial movement of the rotatable handle member. An “OFF” indicator is visible with the control valve in a closed condition, and an “ON” indicator is non-visible with the control valve in a closed condition. The “ON” indicator is movable to become visible and obscure the “OFF” indicator upon rotation of the handle member to adjust the control valve to an open condition.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS, IF ANY[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 (e) of provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 128,631, filed 27 May, 2008. Application Ser. No. 61 / 128,631 is hereby incorporated by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX, IF ANY[0003]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]1. Field of the Invention[0005]The present invention relates to a visual indicator for a valve and, more particularly, to a visual indicator for a valve with a rotary handle and, most particularly, to a visual indicator for an air tank valve with a rotary handle that does not move axially when rotated.[0006]2. Background Information[0007]Scuba tank valve handles currently on the market offer no easy way to visually determine whether the scuba tank air valve is in the “on” or “off” position. When trained for dive certifications, new divers are taught to release ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]In another embodiment, the “OFF” indicator is contained on the housing of the control valve adjacent the rotatable handle member operatively connected to

Problems solved by technology

Scuba tank valve handles currently on the market offer no easy way to visually determine whether the scuba tank air valve is in the “on” or “off” position.

Unfortunately, because of the various configurations and unfamiliarity with valves mounted on the right or left side of a tank, once opened, other well meaning individuals may inadvertently close a valve and proceed to open the valve by only one-quarter turn.

One situation that can result due to this practice is that with his / her valve open one-quarter of a turn, the diver may receive enough air to start his dive with an ample air supply.

In either case, the valve may inadvertently seal shut, resulting in the catastrophic loss of air supply.

Another situation that is encountered when the tank valve is inadvertently turned to the closed position and then opened one-quarter turn is that enough air remains in the charged system for two full breaths before the air is depleted.

Without air to breathe or to compensate for their negative buoyancy, the diver falls into an uncontrolled decent.

There have been many documented cases of both of these scenarios throughout the dive community, in which many resulted in a fatality or serious injury due to decompression sickness.

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